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7 Steps to an Epic Vegas Vacation

I spent the week of Memorial Day in sunny, beautiful Las Vegas. I’ve been planning this trip , on and off , for five years so when I finally touched down at McCarran International , I felt like I knew all the insider tips. Long story short-I didn’t. But I did luck into a few tips that made my full-itinerary more enjoyable and a bit cheaper.

Here’s my guide on how to have an epic Vegas trip.

Step 1: Bring a friend or two.Preferably someone you haven’t seen in a while and seriously need to catch up with.

Night Time Shenanigans on the Strip

Step 2: Explore the strip early in the morning or late at night (after 1am).Avoid the crowds and hog the best viewpoints.

The Strip

Views from the Vegas Strip

Step 3: Make sure to explore as many casinos and hotels as your heart desires.

Hard Rock Hotel Lobby

The Hard Rock Hotel Lobby

The Hard Rock Hotel Lobby

Exploring the Cosmopolitan

Step 4: Establish a local’s help.Whether you have a pre-made contact or take a few seconds to talk to the promoter handing out flyers in the street, these people can hook you up with serious discount to clubs,bar,shows and much , much more.

Step 5: Visit the famous Vegas Sign.This is a few miles off the strip, so catch a taxi or take the infamous Deuce bus and be prepared to walk a few minutes.

The Vegas Sign

Step 6: Go to a concert or a show.If there’s a one night concert or event you’re dying to see, make sure to book early. For my May show, I brought tickets in January and, even then, they were nearly sold out.

Bruno Mars at the Cosmopolitan

Yes, I saw Bruno Mars again. Yes,I realize that it looks like I’m stalking him around the world(He’s just that good!) No, I am not ashamed.

Step 7: Take a walk down Fremont Street and experience the original Vegas.

Fremont Street Experience

The Mob Museum @ Fremont St

The Famous Heart Attack Grill. Free meals for anyone over 350 pounds.

Step 8: Take a day trip. The most popular near-by destinations are Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, and the West & South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I recommend waiting until you arrive in Vegas to book your trip. Get a hold of one of the many coupon booklets floating around, and use one of those tour companies for the best prices.

My first Pink Berry since leaving New York .Original frozen yogurt with kiwi,granola, and sour gummi bears

Step 10: Do something you’ve never done before. Go to a strip club and reenact Magic Mike, dance with a stranger at a club, get your palm read…just do something that will be worth remembering when you think of Vegas.